A good and timely transition planning is important for young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), to help make their transition to the next phase of education/training, or employment as smooth as possible.
From at least Year 9 (aged 13-14) there should be consideration of Preparation for Adulthood (PFA) in any SEND planning, and if your child/young person has an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) there should be a focus on this from Year 9 onwards at reviews.
If you feel concerned about PFA, then you could speak to your child/young person’s school or setting. You could ask for a meeting to discuss this and to identify any planning and support that is available, or you may wish to discuss this in the Annual Review if your child/young person has an EHCP.
What is the aim of preparation for adulthood?
The Special education Needs and Disability SEND code of practice: 0 to 25 years – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) (external link) describes preparing for adulthood as preparing for:
- Higher education and/or employment – this includes exploring different employment options, such as support for becoming self-employed and help from supported employment agencies
- Independent living – this means young people having a choice, control and freedom over their lives and the support they have, their accommodation and living arrangements, including supported living
- Participating in society, including having friends and supportive relationships, and participating in, and contributing to, the local community
- Being as health as possible in adult life
Transition planning and a person-centred approach
When considering any transition planning for children and young people, it is better to use a person-centred approach to ensure the views and wishes of the child/young person are at the centre of any planning undertaken and any decisions made.
When children are meaningfully involved, this can change their attitude, behaviour and learning and make them active partners who work with adults to bring about change.
You may find it helpful to watch the video created by the Council for Disabled Children:
Who should be involved in the planning?
When transition planning and meetings are taking place, it may be helpful to include:
- Someone from the new school or setting if a move is happening.
- Any professionals that know your child/young person well and can provide useful advice on their SEND and what might help to support them with their transition.
- Any support or teaching staff at the current setting that works with your child/young person, so that they can advise on what they think might be needed and helpful to make the transition successful.
What you may wish to consider when your child/young person is transitioning
The transition age for education is usually 16 but could be applied to transition between key stages of education or to higher education or employment.
You should think about what extra support your child/young person may need with their learning, in their training or employment.
For young people 16 and above there is a duty Education Act 1997 (legislation.gov.uk) (external link) to provide them with independent careers advice and guidance. This advice should also be tailored for their SEND to make sure they can access it and understand their options.
They could be prepared for employment via options such as apprenticeships, traineeships and supported internships. For further information visit North Yorkshire Council’s website Preparing for adulthood | North Yorkshire Council.
When considering employment options, it helps to know what support your young person may receive from adult services, the local authority could undertake an Adult Social Care Assessment which could support discussions around pathways into employment. Request involvement from adult social care | North Yorkshire Council.
What do you need to consider for a child/young person with health needs?
The transition age for health is usually 18, but some services may start the transitions from aged 17.
Depending on what services the young person is accessing, a transition plan should be put in place to move them over to the relevant adult services. The current service or paediatrician would usually identify who will lead on this transition and provide information about how to contact them.
If your young person has an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) then this should be used to support co-ordinating the move to other services.
Children with SEND that are aged over 14, are allowed to request an annual health check (link is external) through the NHS to give them a chance to talk about anything that is worrying them and get them used to visiting the doctor.
If the young person is not able to be treated at their usual dental surgery due to their SEND or a medical condition they could be referred to a specialist dental service (link is external) through the NHS. Your GP or dentist can make this referral for them.
What do you need to consider for your child/young person’s social care needs during transition?
The transition age for social care is usually 18, but some services may start the transitions from aged 17.
Depending on what services your young person is accessing, a transition plan should be put in place to move them over to the relevant adult services. Both you and your young person may become eligible for adult care services.
Under the Care Act 2014 (legislation.gov.uk) (external link) the local authority must carry out an adult social care assessment where there is a significant benefit to a young person or their carer in doing so and they are likely to have needs for care and support after turning 18. There is no set age for this assessment to take place, it is when it would be considered of ‘significant benefit’ to them.
Assessments for adult care or support must include current needs for care and support, whether the young person is likely to have need for care and support after they turn 18, and if so, what those needs are likely to be, and which are likely to be eligible. For those with an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP), transition to adult care and support should be integrated with the review process.
For more information about adult social care visit Social care for adults | North Yorkshire Council.